Project ABSOLUTE (advanced battery solid oxide fuel cell linked unit to maximize efficiency), aims to combine a sodium-nickel chloride battery called ZEBRA and an intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) to form an all-electric hybrid package that surpasses the efficiency and performance of a purely fuel cell driven vehicle, as well as extending the range of a purely battery driven electric vehicle. This paper discusses the project background, the ABSOLUTE hybrid concept, the methodology adopted, the vehicle types and drive cycles that best suit the hybrid and system control considerations. Results from a battery and IT-SOFC system model are presented. A nominally 'always-on' constant load strategy is adopted for the fuel cell, with fuel supplied via external steam reforming of compressed natural gas or LPG. This approach avoids repetitive stop/start cycles, minimizes the size of the fuel cell, and allows the most efficient reforming method to be used. Impressive fuel economy and range is predicted for the system operating on compressed natural gas and LPG, however, compressed hydrogen gas is not regarded as a suitable fuel since it does not provide a suitable range and does not take advantage of the fuel flexibility of IT-SOFC technology. Models have been developed for the ZEBRA battery and ITSOFC system which have been used to predict the efficiency of the system, examine the options for system integration, and simulate duty cycles based on a range of operating modes. Natural gas was chosen as the fuel source in this round of modeling since the technology for methane steam reforming is well developed and is also of interest for stationary CHP applications. However, LPG may also be steam reformed on board using an equivalent steam-to-carbon ratio as used here for methane. LPG may also be a better option in terms of increasing vehicle range and the existing distribution infrastructure.


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    Title :

    Project ABSOLUTE: A ZEBRA battery/intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell hybrid for automotive applications


    Contributors:
    Brett, D.J.L. (author) / Aguiar, P. (author) / Brandon, N.P. (author) / Bull, R.N. (author) / Galloway, R.C. (author) / Hayes, G.W. (author) / Lillie, K. (author) / Mellors, C. (author) / Millward, M. (author) / Smith, C. (author) ... [more]


    Publication date :

    2006


    Size :

    9 Seiten, 10 Bilder, 4 Tabellen, 16 Quellen




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English